Modern childhood is closely intertwined with technology. Children now have access to all sorts of gadgets, including smartphones with high-quality cameras. But if a child shows a remarkable interest in photography, you should get him a specialized device. The right camera can become an incredible gift for a child, tween or teen. When choosing a camera for a young photographer, you should look for a small device that will be comfortable for holding in small hands. It is better for the camera to have a screen so that the child can clearly see what he is filming. You should not choose devices with a lot of professional settings. For very young users, a couple of built-in filters will be enough. While teenagers can choose cameras that have a basic set of parameters from which they can begin to get acquainted with real photography. In this article we will be choosing the best cameras for kids, mainly instant models.
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Instant cameras are an excellent choice for children and teenagers, as they allow you to immediately see the results of the shooting. The printing process can add fun to photo creation. The child will be able to share the printed frames with friends and family. Among instant cameras, there are those that print color photos on thick paper, and those that print simple black and white images on thinner paper, like a receipt. Models with simplified printing are suitable for little photography enthusiasts. Let’s look at one of such kids’ cameras.
HelloBaby Instant Print Camera for Kids is an excellent example of a camera for toddlers. It has a cute cat-shaped design and comes in blue and pink colors. The streamlined plastic body is comfortable to hold in small hands. The camera is equipped with a 3.2-inch IPS display, on which pictures and videos will be clearly visible. The panel around the display houses a front camera and convenient large buttons for controlling settings. On the back of the camera are both the main lens and microphone in the shape of a cat’s eyes. The HelloBaby has a 16x digital zoom, various filters, and the ability to customize images using frames and stickers. The camera can shoot 1080p video, including time-lapse. It is equipped with a 1200mAh battery for 18 hours of instant filming. The camera is charged using the USB-C cable included in the kit. And most importantly: this HelloBaby camera allows kids to immediately print out their photos using the built-in thermal printer. Thermal printing technology does not use ink and is completely safe for children. The camera comes with two rolls of thermal paper. The price for the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera for Kids usually ranges between $30 and $50. It is truly one of the best cameras for kids.
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Some instant cameras can print photos onto adhesive-backed paper. Thus, any photo can become a sticker. Sticker frames can be used to decorate notebooks, postcards and albums with memories.
Canon Ivy Cliq 2 is a simple compact instant camera. Click 2 uses Zinc technology – thermal printing without using ink. The camera comes with adhesive thermal paper, which can be used to turn printed images into stickers. The Ivy Cliq2 is small and light, weighing the same as an average smartphone. It has an 8-megapixel lens with 16x digital zoom framed by a mirror for easy selfie shooting. The camera’s battery allows it to operate continuously for 120 minutes after charging using the included USB-A cable. It has three main shooting modes: portrait, landscape and flash photography. The mode switch is located on the top edge of the device next to the shutter button. To control more detailed settings and customize printing, there is a special Canon Mini Print application that can be installed on your smartphone. It is the perfect simple digital camera for kids and teens for less than $100.
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Some brands offer snapshot device and printer tandems for instant printing. Typically, such combinations work via Bluetooth directly or through an application on your phone. Separating the camera and printer helps reduce the size of the camera itself. Also, quite often, instant cameras, such as the Fujifilm Instax Mini, do not allow you to choose which frames to print. In this regard, the division into a camera and a separate mini printer is convenient because it allows you to choose which frames to spend limited film on.
The Fujifilm Instax Pal is one of the best digital cameras for kids and a good example of such an ideal compact camera that supports instant photo printing. It has a 5-megapixel lens that takes clear images and a built-in flash for shooting in low lighting. The Instax Pal creates photos that can be printed out via a portable printer like Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 on special 2×3-inch Instax Mini photo paper. The camera also has a selfie mode and a macro mode, which allows you to create varied and interesting photos. The Instax Pal does not have a screen and consumes battery very slowly. It is charged from the USB cable included in the kit. The Fujifilm Instax Pal is available in a variety of colors and has intuitive controls, making it a great choice for young users. It costs from $100 to $150, while Fujifilm portable printers usually cost around $150-200.
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The most common type of instant camera is one that prints each image immediately after it is taken. Such devices are designed specifically for capturing spontaneous moments. They are unlikely to be suitable for mastering the basics of photography, but they can be a great gift for a teenager.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the latest model in the popular Instax Mini line and one of the best kids cameras. It has a 5-megapixel lens for taking high-quality photos and a built-in flash that automatically adjusts to lighting conditions. The camera supports a macro mode for capturing subjects at a distance of 30 to 50 cm and a selfie mode that includes a mirror for easy focusing. The Instax Mini 12 uses 62x46mm Instax Mini photo paper and can be charged via USB. Instax Mini 12 is an ideal gift for a teenager. The aesthetic design of the Instax resembles a marshmallow. The range includes models of different colors and accessories that go with them, such as cases for conveniently carrying the camera, photo decor and photo albums that can be customized. This model itself costs up to $100 with ready-made sets of camera and accessories at a slightly higher price available.
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Digital Images and Prints On-Demand
A more convenient option is instant cameras with a screen and the ability to select images to print. You can use such a device like a regular digital camera, then view the pictures you take and choose which ones to print. It helps avoid wasting photo paper on bad shots.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is an example of such a digital camera for kids and adults. This is a new Fujifilm gadget with a retro design. It combines the features of a modern digital device and old analog cameras. It is equipped with a 1/5-inch lens with a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels, which is around 5mp. Instax Mini Evo offers 10 different lens effects and 10 film effects, so children can go creative with the settings. The camera has a 3-inch LCD display for easy viewing and adjustment of pictures. Built-in flash and autofocus will help you take high-quality photos in any conditions, including evening lighting. The Instax Mini Evo prints 2×3-inch photos on Instax Mini photo paper without needing a separate printer and charges via USB. To gain access to advanced settings and frame customization, there is also an Instax UP app available for smartphones. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo represents the more expensive category of Fujifilm cameras and usually costs around $150.
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An important aspect when choosing a camera for a child is its durability. Active young photographers should choose cameras that can easily survive travel and outdoor activities. Those can be simple devices for children in strong plastic cases and with a protected lens. But for teenagers, such models will be boring, so for them there are real “adult” cameras with increased resistance to damage.
The OM System TG-7 is literally unkillable. It is a rugged and reliable camera ideal for use in extreme conditions. It is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, and is suitable for use in any weather. The TG-7 features a 12mp lens for better image quality. It also has an advanced macrophotography feature for shooting at a distance of up to 1 cm from the subject. The camera supports 4K video recording and the Pro Capture technology, which allows you to take a series of photos with minimal delay. And with the help of built-in Wi-Fi, you can transfer images from the camera directly to your phone without adapters and edit them there, which is very convenient on the road. The $500 price tag may put off many parents from buying the OM System TG-7. It’s really worth it, but before purchasing, you should carefully consider whether this is the option for your child.
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Various features can be useful for shooting during active recreation. For example, it is very convenient if you can attach a camera to a bicycle and film your journey without taking your hands off the handlebars. The OM System TG-7 gives you this opportunity too.
The OM System TG-7 is ideal for active adventures, including cycling. It can be easily attached to your bike with special mounts, allowing you to take impressive photos and videos while riding. The camera is attached to the vehicle very firmly and does not fall off even on jumps and sharp turns. With the TG-7 you can film the entire trip without stopping, even on the most difficult roads. Its robust design and protection from water and dirt make it possible to use the camera in any weather, and built-in frame stabilization allows you to take clear photos and videos while riding. There are not so many waterproof cameras for kids, so we recommend you to consider purchasing the OM System TG-7, especially for active children.
The process of analogue shooting is very different from digital. If you want to learn the process of analog photography, take a look at modern cameras with simple interfaces. They are also worth considering for teens who want an “old school” photography experience.
The Kodak Ektar H35N is a compact and lightweight analog camera, pretty close to the old school classics. It uses the 35mm film format and half frame, allowing up to 72 shots on one standard roll of film. The camera is equipped with a manual film rewind mechanism and has a built-in flash for taking images in the low light. The lens has a focal length of 22mm and an aperture of f/11. The Ektar H35N also offers the ability to create effects on your shots by putting different colour filters on the lens. Ease of use and creative experimentation make this camera ideal for young photography enthusiasts who appreciate the aesthetics and uniqueness of film photography. In addition, it is a relatively inexpensive camera with a price tag of $65.
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To make it easier for you to choose a camera for your child and not get confused, we have put together some simple tips for you:
We hope this will make your choice easier and leave your kids satisfied with the cameras you choose.
If you don’t have time to read the entire article, you can check out the ready-made answers to popular questions.
Determine for what purpose your child needs a camera. There are different options for different ages. For younger children, simple and durable gadgets with a minimum of settings and a convenient screen are suitable. Teenagers will be more interested in gadgets with options for different settings and frame customization, the ability to take selfies and high-quality photos and videos. You can also consider buying instant cameras for kids as they are a great option for taking fun and creative pictures.
There are plenty of great cameras for tweens. Since the simplest ones may no longer be interesting at this age anymore, we can recommend models such as the Canon Ivy Cliq2 and Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 for those who like to take selfies and instant photos, Fujifilm Instax Pal for those who need a compact camera for every day, and OM System TG-7 for the most active ones.
There are a variety of cameras for children of different ages. Even a toddler may be interested in photography and would be more excited to have a camera that takes real pictures. There are special variants for children, for example, HelloBaby Instant Print Camera, which is recommended for children aged 3 years and older.